Music is breath.
It’s part of life for Nanaimo-born singer-songwriter Allison Crowe.
The absence of music in her life makes a physical impact.
“It is just something that is like breathing,” she said. “If I haven’t done a show it is something I feel viscerally.”
Music has been a continuous force in her life since she began piano lessons at age five.
“Because I started so young it is like a language,” said Crowe.“It is just something I felt naturally drawn to – a way I find to express myself.”
Crowe’s musical expression is personal. Each song she creates draws on her experiences or situations she’s seen. Because of the deep nature of her writing sometimes she just has to step away from the process to recuperate.
“I need to take breaks from it because it is so personal. It gets intense. I get into my head a lot,” said Crowe. “Most of my songs are personal. I am more comfortable writing what I know.”
Crowe and her band are touring Vancouver Island to promote the group’s latest album Heirs and Grievances.
The song Lisa’s Song was written about Crowe’s friend Lisa Marie Young, who disappeared in 2002 after she left a house party in Nanaimo. Since that time, Lisa’s mother Joanne Young has held several vigils and walks to keep her daughter’s memory alive.
Crowe keeps a journal of her thoughts. Songs on Heirs and Grievances come from moments from different times in her life.
It’s been more than a year since Crowe left her solo days behind and embraced bandmates.
She performs with David Baird, bass; Sarah White, guitar, vocals and mandolin and a cello player, who simply goes by the name Lin.
Crowe currently lives in Corner Brook, N.L. Crowe said she is visiting friends and family in Nanaimo and is using the city as her home base for the tour.
She’s looking forward to visiting the community during the Halloween season. She is going to check out decorated houses in the community and share some of Vancouver Island’s parks and tourist sights with her bandmates.
Crowe performs at the Port Theatre Nov. 3 at 7:30 p.m.
“I’m really excited to come do a show,” she said.
Tickets are $29, $24 for students and seniors and $25 for groups of six or more and are available in advance by calling 250-754-8550 or online at www.porttheatre.com.
For more information about Crowe please go to www.allisoncrowe.com.
arts@nanaimobulletin.com